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  11. Step 6 Background
  12. Step 7 Analyze Your Data
  13. Step 8 What does it mean?
  14. Step 9 Prepare for Presentation
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samt-tem3

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Elevation Destination
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Broad Question

Does it take longer for heavier weights to go up in an elevator?

Specific Question

Does it take longer for a 5, 10, or 15g weight to go up in an elevator?

Variables

Independent Variable: Objects Mass (g)

Dependent Variable: Average Time (sec)

Variables That Need To Be Controlled: Same counterweight, Same string length.

Hypothesis

I hypothesize that the 15g weight will take the longest time to get up.

Graph of Hypothesis

2012_hypothesis_graph_sam.JPG

Experimental Design

I am going to conduct my experiment at my house, where the elevator model will be located. Other than my dad helping me make the model, I am the only person who will be in this experiment. My dad and I will create the elevator and I will record the data as we go on in the experiment. This project involves three weights and there will be ten trials altogether. I will print out a copy of an empty spreadsheet and record the data on there. After, I will copy that onto the real data table on the computer. I will take pictures of the elevator as I go through the experiment with a digital camera. I will upload them onto my computer and copy and paste them onto a Google Docs making them accessible from school.

Materials

  • String
  • Plywood plank
  • Scissors
  • 5 spindles
  • 6 Nails or screws
  • A video game controller motor
  • A small cardboard box
  • A hammer or power-drill
  • 5g weight
  • 10g weight
  • 15g weight
  • 625g counterweight
  • Stopwatch

Procedure


  1. Put the 5g weight in the elevator car.
  2. Let the counterweight go.
  3. Record how long it takes for the car to get to the top 10 times.
  4. Take the 5g weight out, and put the 10g weight in
  5. Record how long it takes for the car to get to the top 10 times.
  6. Take the 10g weight out and put the 15g weight in.
  7. Record how long that takes to get to the top 10 times.
  8. Average out the 5g times.
  9. Average out the 10g times.
  10. Average out the 15g times.
  11. Put all the times on the data table.

Background Research

  • Not all elevators work the same way. There are two major different elevator systems working today, the hydraulic elevator, and the roped elevator, the one I’m using. The hydraulic one uses a hydraulic ram. It is a fluid-driven piston mounted inside a cylinder. The roped elevator is powered by a small motor, a sheave, and a counterweight.
  • All elevators have weight limits depending on the floor space. they range from about 1000-6000 lbs. Most hydraulic or electric elevators in eight floor buildings (apparently very common) can reach speeds up to almost 200 ft/sec.
  • Most buildings four stories or more have roped elevators, or as some people call them, traction elevators. They are the least expensive and they are efficient. The fastest elevator in the world is located in the Taipei 101. It travels at 3,314 feet per minute. That’s 100 floors in 26 seconds!
  • There is a large shock absorber at the bottom of the elevator shaft that absorbs the impact if the elevator falls to quickly.

References

  1. Cool Stuff and How it Works. New York, New York: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2005. Print.
  2. HowStuffWorks. N.p., 1998. Web. 1 Jan. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/elevator1.htm>.
  3. Scientific American. N.p., 2012. Web. 1 Jan. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-do-elevators-work>.
  4. Wikipedia. N.p., 19 Jan. 2012. Web. 1 Jan. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevator>.

Results


Diagram


Photo List





Graphs

samt_tem3_resultsgraph.JPG



Photos

Sam_science_fair_pic_1.JPG
Sam_science_fair_pic_2.JPG

Data Analysis


Conclusion


The original purpose of this experiment was to figure out if heavier weights go up in an elevator. Small weights were put in an elevator and functioned by a bigger counterweight. The elevator went up. The results of the experiment were that heavier weights did go up slower when in the model elevator. A 15g weight went up the slowest, with an average time of 2.1 seconds. The smallest weight,(5g), went up the fastest with an average time of 1.4 seconds. All the times were within 3 seconds of each other.

Discussion


My hypothesis was that the heaviest weight (15g) would take the longest amount of time to go up. My results did support my hypothesis. It took an average time of 2.1 seconds for the 15g weight to get up and that’s what I thought would happen. There is a slightly significant relationship between the two variables. As weight grew, the time went up, but not by much. I think the tests went pretty smoothly in getting the data. I didn’t have any problems going along with the experiment. If I could improve my experiment, I would’ve actually chosen a whole other topic. This one was just complicated and kind of boring. An interesting future study would be which elevator is more efficient, roped or hydraulic?